Former FloridaCommerce Chief Joins Defense Commission
Florida contractors serving military installations should track how this appointment shapes Commission grant priorities.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in People
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Gov. Ron DeSantis has named Alex Kelly to the Florida Defense Support Commission, a 13-member panel that protects the state's 20 military installations. Kelly, who ran FloridaCommerce from 2023 until this fall, is also new president of Pensacola State College, where he started October 19.
Why it matters
The appointment places a former state commerce chief on a body that shapes grant funding for defense-adjacent projects, which matters to Florida contractors and suppliers tied to military installations. Kelly's move from state economic development to a college presidency also reshuffles leadership at two institutions that bear on regional workforce pipelines.
The Commission's 13 voting members are drawn from three appointing authorities, with four seats each for the Governor, Senate President and House Speaker, plus one Governor's seat. Pensacola State College's presidential search drew 107 applicants before trustees chose Kelly unanimously.
The players
Florida Defense Support Commission
A 13-member direct-support organization of FloridaCommerce that advises on protecting the state's 20 military installations and administers defense-related grants.
Pensacola State College
A public Florida college whose trustees hired Alex Kelly to lead the institution after a 107-applicant presidential search.
Ron DeSantis
The Governor of Florida, who announced Kelly's appointment and holds one seat on the Commission with appointing power over four more.
Alex Kelly
A state government executive who led FloridaCommerce from 2023 and now serves as president of Pensacola State College.
The details
The Florida Defense Support Commission operates as a direct-support organization of FloridaCommerce and advises on protecting the state's military installations. Its Chair rotates between a Senate appointee and a House appointee every two years, with the next handoff scheduled for December 1. Commissioners serve four-year unpaid terms, and the Commerce Secretary or a designee acts as the nonvoting Executive Director.
Timeline
September 2026: Pensacola State College trustees hire Kelly unanimously.
October 19, 2026: Kelly starts as president of Pensacola State College.
August 2026: Commission grant program awards Pensacola-area funding.
December 1, 2026: Commission Chair rotates between Senate and House appointees.
Market Landscape
The Commission's appointment structure ties defense-protection policy to the Governor and legislative leaders, so personnel moves on it signal shifts in state priorities for military installations. Kelly's transition from FloridaCommerce to a college presidency reflects the movement of state economic-development executives into education leadership.
Florida contractors and suppliers working near military installations should track the Commission's grant decisions and leadership changes, since these shape funding for defense-adjacent projects. Operators in the Pensacola area should note the new college leadership, as workforce partnerships often depend on institutional priorities.
The takeaway
Operators with defense-adjacent business should watch the Commission's December 1 Chair rotation and its grant announcements for shifts in funding priorities. Track Pensacola State College's early programming decisions under new leadership as a signal for regional workforce partnerships.
What happens next
The Commission's Chair rotation handoff between Senate and House appointees is scheduled for December 1, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage of leadership moves across Florida business and government.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..
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Do you trust state government to choose people well for military-support boards?
